After years of planning and setbacks, the Lyon College School of Dental Medicine is set to receive its inaugural class this June after receiving initial accreditation from the Commission on Dental Accreditation.

Arkansas’s first dental school will occupy a seven-story space in Little Rock’s Riverfront Plaza and offer a simulation clinic and 100-chair patient care clinic. The school can accommodate 80 students per class, with 240 students at full enrollment.

Lyon College’s press release is reprinted here in full:

[February 10, 2025]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:     Carol Langston, Director of College Communications

Phone:        (870) 307-7075

Email:          Carol.Langston@lyon.edu

Historic Milestone: Lyon College School of Dental Medicine Receives Initial Accreditation

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas – The Lyon College School of Dental Medicine announced today it has received initial accreditation from the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). The School of Dental Medicine will welcome its inaugural class in June.

“Achieving initial accreditation reflects the hard work and dedication of our faculty, staff and supporters,” said Dr. Melissa Taverner, president of Lyon College. “This achievement is a critical step toward addressing Arkansas’ urgent oral health needs and expanding access to care for underserved communities.”

“Initial accreditation from the Commission on Dental Accreditation marks a historic milestone for Arkansas,” said Dr. Burke Soffe, founding dean of the Lyon College School of Dental Medicine. “This moment signifies the foundation of a new era in oral health for our state. I am beyond proud of our team and excited for the future of oral health in Arkansas.”

The dental school, located in Riverfront Plaza in Little Rock’s Riverdale neighborhood, will feature contemporary facilities designed to provide both exceptional education and community care. The seven-floor renovation project includes classrooms, a simulation clinic and a 100-chair patient care clinic. This clinic will serve as a cornerstone of the school’s mission, providing comprehensive dental services to the public while offering students hands-on clinical experience.

“Our patient care clinic will be a vital resource for Arkansas, ensuring access to high-quality dental services for thousands of residents each year,” said Dr.Soffe. “With a particular focus on serving vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly and those with special needs, this clinic will also act as an exceptional training ground for our students, preparing them to deliver compassionate care throughout their careers.”

Innovative Three-Year Curriculum

The Lyon College School of Dental Medicine’s curriculum is a cutting-edge, three-year program designed to accelerate learning while maintaining the highest standards of academic rigor and practical experience. The program integrates foundational biomedical sciences with early exposure to clinical practice, emphasizing a comprehensive approach to patient care.

“Our innovative curriculum combines classroom instruction, simulation training and direct patient care from the beginning,” Dr. Soffe explained. “This model allows students to develop both the technical skills and the interpersonal communication needed to become skilled clinicians and compassionate caregivers. We’re preparing a new generation of dental professionals to address the growing oral healthcare needs across Arkansas and beyond.”

With a class size of 80, the program will serve 240 students at full enrollment, making it a major economic driver for central Arkansas. In addition to training future dentists, the school’s presence will create hundreds of jobs and foster significant community investment.

Addressing Arkansas’ Oral Health Crisis

The Lyon College School of Dental Medicine was developed in response to a statewide needs assessment that revealed alarming statistics about oral health in Arkansas:

• Arkansas ranks last in the nation in overall oral health.
• The state ranks 50th in dentist-to-population ratio, with just 41.82 dentists per 100,000 residents, according to the National Library of Medicine.
• A quarter of Arkansas counties are designated as health professional shortage areas.
• 60 percent of children in Arkansas have experienced dental decay.
• Arkansas is the only state with more than 2.5 million people without a dental school.

The establishment of the dental school is expected to directly address these challenges, improving access to care and reducing the burden of oral health disparities in underserved areas.

“Oral health is closely tied to overall health, and as the population ages, the demand for skilled dental professionals is growing exponentially,” said Dr. Taverner. “The Lyon College School of Dental Medicine will not only help meet this demand but also serve as a beacon of hope for the communities we serve. We are investing in Arkansas’ future and building a program that will transform lives for generations.”

Federal and Local Investment

Lyon College has made a significant financial investment in renovating the Riverfront Plaza building, employing Baldwin & Shell Construction Company of Little Rock as construction manager and WDD Architects of North Little Rock as project architect.

In 2024, U.S. Sen. John Boozman championed a $15 million federal appropriation to support the Lyon College School of Dental Medicine, underscoring the urgent need for dental professionals in Arkansas.

“From our modern facilities to our talented faculty and staff, every aspect of this project reflects our commitment to excellence and innovation,” Dr. Taverner said. “This school will be a game-changer for Arkansas, providing both an economic boost and much-needed healthcare resources.”

Community Impact

In addition to training dental professionals, the Lyon College School of Dental Medicine’s patient care clinic is expected to serve thousands of Arkansans annually, offering affordable, high-quality care to residents who might otherwise lack access to essential dental services.

“Our mission extends far beyond education,” Dr. Soffe said. “We are here to serve the community and make a lasting impact on the lives of Arkansans. This clinic will not only provide critical care but also foster a culture of service and compassion among our students.”

For more information about the Lyon College School of Dental Medicine, please visit https://lyoninstitute.com/dentistry-program/.

About Lyon College

Lyon College, a private, liberal arts institution founded in 1872, is the oldest college in the state with its original charter. Ranked by US News & World Report as a 2024 “Best College,” Lyon currently enrolls approximately 660 students from more than 30 states and 18 countries. Students can tailor their education, selecting from 25 majors, as well as pre-professional, individualized options and select graduate programs. Learn more at lyon.edu.  

The University of Arkansas will host a free, one-day Dental-Child Interaction Training (DCIT) workshop for dentists and dental offices on April 25, 2025.

Dental-Child Interaction Training (DCIT) is a collaborative project funded by the National Institute of Health and the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Surgery to promote child behavior management skills in order to enhance quality dental care for young patients.

The training workshop offers eight CEU credits, skill-building sessions, and interactive exercises.

For more information, contact Dr. Lauren Quetsch at quetsch@uark.edu and Becca Bradley at rsb0009@uark.edu.

A Message from ADA President, Dr. Brett Kessler Dear Colleagues,   A new year can represent a fresh start, with many of us setting intentions to improve our lives in some way. These resolutions often pertain to our well-being — of which mental health is an important part.     Sadly, when it comes to mental health, the dental profession is facing a stark reality: according to the 2024 ADA Council on Communications Trend Report, more than 82% of dentists report major career stress. The pressures of our work often lead many of us to struggle in silence with challenges like anxiety, depression, and burnout.      Keeping our professional community well is among my top priorities as your ADA president. Dentistry and life are tough, and the ADA is committed to ensuring you have tools to help you feel your best.   I’m excited to share a new resource now available exclusively for all ADA members and dental students — completely free and confidential: Talkspace Go. This self-guided therapy app is designed to fit into the busy lives we lead as dental professionals. In just five minutes a day, you can find tools to support your mental well-being, from managing work stress and relationships to maintaining balance in your life. The app is personalized, science-backed, and it meets you exactly where you are. Here’s how to get started: Visit ADA.org/TalkspaceGo to log in with your ADA information. After you log in, you will receive your member-only access code. Download Talkspace Go on iOS or Android. Create an account and enter the ADA organization code. Answer 25 quick questions to help identify areas where you need support.   Dive into customized courses, daily journaling, and even live workshops led by therapists. I’ve used Talkspace Go myself, and I can tell you — it’s not just another app. It’s a powerful tool that can help you take those small, impactful steps toward living your best life.     The support doesn’t stop there: I encourage you to visit ADA.org/Wellness to explore more resources for being at your best in 2025, including… Well-Being Index (WBI): This anonymous assessment tool helps you check in on your mental health and receive tailored resources. You can use it as often as you need year-round. Get started here.   Physical and Ergonomic Health: Dentistry can take a toll on our bodies. The ADA offers tools to help reduce strain and improve your daily work environment.  Learn about ergonomic stretches and more at ADA.org/App. Beyond individual wellness, the ADA is committed to driving systemic changes that support our entire profession.   One of our key efforts is eliminating stigmatizing mental health questions from licensure applications. States like Texas, Virginia, Iowa, Minnesota, and Oregon have already made important changes, and more are on the way. Recently, the Oregon Board of Dentistry approved aligning their initial and renewal questions to those of the Oregon Board of Medicine, shifting health-related questions to focus on current impairment rather than past diagnoses or treatment. This is a big win in Oregon, and we look forward to continuing the momentum in the coming year.   We’re also supporting the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act, the only federal law dedicated to reducing burnout and suicide among healthcare workers.   Additionally, through the ADA’s Wellness Ambassador Program, we’re training dentists to support their peers who may be struggling and facilitate connections with clinical professionals and other resources. This initiative is led by ADA’s Council on Dental Practice and their Dental Team Wellness Advisory Committee (DWAC)—a group of dedicated professionals that includes dentists, mental health experts, and other dental team members.   If you or someone you know is in crisis, please text or call 988 to connect with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. It’s free, confidential, and available 24/7/365. Let’s make 2025 the year we choose wellness, together.   Sincerely,   Brett Kessler, D.D.S. President, American Dental Association

Explore ADA.org/TalkspaceGo

These important wellness resources have been made available to all ADA members. If you aren’t yet an ADA member, you can join us today to unlock your access. If you are already a member, don’t forget to renew your membership for 2025 so you can continue to take advantage of member benefits designed to help you thrive.

This year’s ASDA Annual Session will be held Friday and Saturday, March 14-15, at the downtown Little Rock Doubletree Hotel. Join us for two days of fun, learning, and CE hours with our special guest lecturer, Dr. Mark Kleive of Asheville, NC.

Dr. Klieve will present on digital workflows, interoffice teamwork, business systems, strategies to increase case acceptance, and treatment planning for modern diagnoses.

Doubletree will offer special group rates for ASDA members through February 20.

Secure your spot and book your room today at this link!

reprinted from ADA Morning Huddle:

Currently, more than 72% of the U.S. population has access to fluoridated drinking water, according to a video report from CBS. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has called this effort “one of the great public health achievements of the 20th century.”

Proponents of fluoride have argued that including it in drinking water may improve oral health, particularly for children with developmental conditions.

Mary Beth Giacona, D.D.S., a pediatric dentist at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, revealed that individuals residing in areas without fluoridated drinking water often present with higher rates of cavities compared with areas that do supply fluoridated drinking water to its residents. She emphasized that fluoridating water has been shown to prevent up to 40% of tooth decay.

However, RFK Jr. has falsely claimed that fluoride is linked to arthritis, bone fractures, bone cancer, IQ loss, neurodevelopmental disorders and thyroid disease, according to the CBS report. As a result, dentists are once again debating the health benefits of fluoridated drinking water.

Read more: CBS